Purveyors of fear and paranoia
Writing in the Portsmouth Herald, Robert Azzi calls out the “sheer hypocrisy” of Christian religious leaders who endorse the “lies and demagoguery” that are stoking the fires of xenophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment:
As an American, I’m disappointed Trump’s words are finding such resonance in a nation that considers itself exceptional; indeed, for preachers such as Franklin Graham and Jerry Falwell Jr., who believe America’s a Judeo-Christian nation, to support Trump’s lies and demagoguery is sheer hypocrisy. […]
Today, American purveyors of fear and prejudice are profiting. It comes as no surprise to me that overwhelming numbers of Americans believe Islam is incompatible with American values or that we’re in the greatest danger imaginable since 9/11 – a danger they’re wrongly being told comes from “radical Islamic terrorism” because that is what today’s intellectually unwashed purveyors of fear and paranoia choose to tell them.
We can include state Sen. Kevin Avard among the intellectually unwashed purveyors of fear and paranoia. Avard, a Republican from Nashua, describes himself as a “lover of the Gospel of Christ” who works to “help the helpless and underprivileged.” Last week, he declared Muslims must be “dealt with:”
A theocracy is not pure Religion.. it is also a government whose intent in this case is for world domination. It is impossible for the Muslim faithful to be true to its practice without Submission and calling for unbelievers to submit or Die ! ,So To just call it just a peaceful religion is to eventually surrender to its concept, However to understand that it is also government as well clarifies to We the American people, that all enemy’s both foreign and domestic will be dealt with ! We will not submit or surrender our sovereignty to a foreign Government ! [sic]
Azzi concluded his column with a message for Christians who spread such messages of fear and paranoia:
This month Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, whom they believe to be the Son of God and Savior of Mankind, and whom Muslims venerate as the most revered prophet after the Prophet Muhammad. Born of an unwed mother, a virgin, in Palestine, Jesus challenged privilege and hypocrisy and led through love a life of humility, inclusiveness and goodness that contradicts all Trump and his followers, and those cowards who enable his path, embrace.